London Boy

Exactly the same thing happened to me in October and this is the thread from my report, although the excuse the IO gave me for the bank statement was she wanted to check I wasn't working. https://aseannow.com/topic/1375566-change-in-policy-at-chaeng-wattana/

The embassy letter use to afford me the flexibility of transferring funds as and when I needed them, especially at times when the Bhatt was weaker. Now, after this experience, i won't bother and will just go down the income/bank statement route.

From my own experience I would end send my Tax Computation (SA302) from the UK. All my income comes from rental properties in London.

I wanted to update you all on my above dilemma. I managed to get another appointment (this morning at 9am, thanks to a cancellation). I was at the document checking station at 8:45am. I got an IO officer this time and tick off all my documents without bringing up the bank statements. I quietly breathed a sign of relief and then took them to the next station for the extension stamp, and as I put down my bundle at the IO's desk the long arm of the big girl came out of nowhere, picked them up and she said I need to check them all. I did explain they'd already been checked but it fell on deaf ears. After a 10 minute wait, I was absolutely dumbfounded that she remembered me from two weeks ago and said "I told you I need to see your bank statement". Fortunately I had obtained one from my local branch on the 17th, and then she meticulously went through all 46 pages. I suspected she was checking if I had been working and where my transfers had come from. After a very nervous 15 minutes wait, she came outside and told me she'll do it for me this time, but I need to transfer ฿65,000 every month from my home country next year. And made me write on the TM7 promising to do that next year, and signing my statement. I asked her why since I had a income affidavit and she said it was to do with a line within the income affidavit that read "This letter is written at the request of London Boy". The big girl said other embassy's don't include that line so she had to check my income. I've since checked previous years Affidavits and the wording of the NZ affidavit hasn't changed in the 5 years I've been using it. Hardly seems worth using the affidavit next year and I'll just go down the income route, and save myself ฿2000. Hope the above helps, expect the unexpected at CW.

Barclays started closing down accounts with overseas address back in 2023, including mine and other chums in Thailand. Like others have said, keep quiet about being abroad. I opened a chase account in July, that doesn't have foreign exchange rate fees, but they still would only send the debit card to a U.k address (luckily i was on my annual visit to intercept it)

Thanks for the tip. I'll try to get an appointment early tmrw morning. I've got until the 31st October so still a bit of time. My wife works at Bangkok Bank head office in China Town, and said her colleague can organize the letter for me FOC,

You're right. I should of, but my anger got the better of me. I just checked the Immigration website and didn't see any spare appointments. I will go back week after next with a bank statement, just in case. Hopefully it will be on a day where the big girl has her day off.

You are correct, but it was my understanding you need to present your bank book (to Bangkok Bank) for them to issue the 12 month Bank Statement. Am I wrong in this assumption?

Place was pandemonium and I was seriously angry. As my Mrs actually works for Bangkok Bank I knew they wouldn't issue me a bank statement without my bank book so didn't want to waste time hanging around trying to meet her unreasonable demands.

Its a good point, its just I've never been asked for the 12 month bank statement letter. The whole point of the Income Affidavit is not to be constrained with clockwork money transfers but as and when I need money.

Yes she was a very large lady. So you've had experience with her before? I do do monthly transfers, but there not uniform as in the same amount at the same time every month. Also sometimes I do a deal with a mate who is working here and needs to send money to the UK and i buy Bhatt off him so we both save on transfer fees. Do you think this will be a problem? Whats the point of an income affidavit if it isn't to buy that expereince. I can get a bank letter with my name on it.

I attended CW earlier today to renew my Non O based on retirement (my 5th year in a row). I'm traveling on a New Zealand passport so had a income affidavit that I got from the Embassy last week. I'd an appointment booked at CW, so no waiting around and at the first stage L1, a document checker called me in to check all my documents. She said I needed a bank statement to 'guarantee the income on my income affidavit. I explained that this is not necessary with a NZ passport hence why we pay ฿2,000 for an income affidavit, and I've never needed it before. She kept repeating 'need bank guarantee, and 'this is Thailand'. Was she just incompetent, and new to the job or is this a genuine rule change? I must emphasize she was a document check in civilian clothes and not actually a IO officer. Anyway I drove home as there was a massive queue in Bangkok Bank downstairs and I didn't have my bank book with me, so wasn't sure they would give me the printout. Has anyone else experienced this. Ive got until the 30th to renew my visa so will try again next week and hope I get someone else who knows what there doing, but I'll get the printout just in case. Please let me know if anyone else has had this experience..

Having just spent 5 weeks in London, I'm very happy to live here. Definitely a 9.

I found I was too dependent on Wise so have just recently opened a HSBC Multi-Currency account and a Chase Bank account (no overseas transaction fees). I timed it on a trip back to London as they need to send the physical cards to a UK address. I'm still in London so cant give any feedback just yet, but I will feedback when I get back to Bangkok in late August.

The best bars, In my opinion, are the smaller ones, where you'rre close to the stage and less foot traffic. Billboard does nothing for me, its like the McDonald's on the Plaza. I prefer the Bunnys bars. Tycoon, On Top, Random2, Mandarin. You also tend to get more attention there as less foot traffic. but each to their own.